Top Prospects from the Class of ’22
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With the ’21 season inching closer to the finish line, a new Class of ’22 update is needed to highlight the now 300 ranked seniors in the state of Kansas.
Four of the Top 5 players have maintained their status throughout the season. However, there was a little shuffling around in this update. Here are the latest Top 5 prospects from the Class of 2022.
No.1: Jaren Kanak Jaren Kanak 6'2" | 210 lbs | ATH Hays | 2022 State KS – Hays, 6’2”, 210, ATH
No surprise as to who the top player in the Class of ’22 is. Kanak claimed the top spot back in June and hasn’t looked back since. The future Clemson Tiger has now helped lead Hays to 8 wins on the season, which has only been done nine times in the program’s history. The Indians are also making their first sectional round appearance since 1995. Kanak had another great outing during regionals, as he rushed for 190 yards and accounted for three scores against Andover.
No. 2: Mekhi Miller Mekhi Miller 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Blue Valley North | 2022 State KS – Blue Valley North, 6’1”, 180, WR
Miller’s numbers may have decreased from his junior year, but his level of play has remained elite during his senior campaign. The Mustangs continued to utilize his athleticism by getting him the ball in a variety of ways. He’s seen several double teams this season, sometimes even triple coverage, and still managed to be amongst the state leaders in receiving yards.
No. 3: Nick Herzog Nick Herzog 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Blue Valley | 2022 State KS – Blue Valley, 6’4”, 270, OL
After cracking the Top 5 in the previous update, Herzog climbs two more spots to become the 3rd ranked prospect in the Class of ’22. The top tackle in the state was a part of an offensive line that helped produce over 2,300 yards rushing, and he protected Greyson Holbert Greyson Holbert 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Blue Valley | 2022 State KS ’s blind side. He should once again pick up a 6A All-State selection for his play this year.
No.4: Caden Crawford Caden Crawford 6'4" | 235 lbs | LB Lansing | 2022 State KS – Lansing, 6’4”, 250, LB
The Lions’ defense had their struggles throughout the year, but Crawford was a bright spot for them. He significantly raised his numbers from his junior season, amassing 101 total tackles on the year. Crawford made plays coming off the edge and at inside linebacker. He was also able to showcase his athleticism on offense, as he filled in at quarterback and accounted for over 750 yards of total offense.
No. 5: Henry Martin Henry Martin 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Blue Valley North | 2022 State KS – Blue Valley North, 6’1”, 195, QB
Martin rounds off the Top 5 after previously being ranked No. 10 in the last update. The 2021 season didn’t exactly play out how the Mustangs envisioned it. Despite the tough year, Martin put up some incredible numbers through the air. The senior finished his final season at BVN completing 65% of his passes and throwing for over 3,000 yards with 32 touchdowns and only six interceptions. His ridiculous numbers should earn him several awards and offers at the end of the season.
The rest of the Top 10 includes No. 6: Jalen Marshall Jalen Marshall 6'5" | 270 lbs | DL St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State KS , St. Thomas Aquinas (DL), No. 7 Landon Dean Landon Dean 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Frontenac | 2022 State KS , Frontenac (DL), No. 8: Alex Key Alex Key 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Derby | 2022 State KS , Derby (OL), No. 9: Lance Hoffsommer Lance Hoffsommer 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Sedgwick | 2022 State KS , Sedgwick (QB), and No. 10 Jacob Parrish Jacob Parrish 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Olathe North | 2022 State KS , Olathe North (ATH).